Reserve Officer Training Corps

Air Force ROTC (Aerospace Studies)

The Department of Aerospace Studies provides pre-commissioning education for qualified students who desire to serve as commissioned officers in the active duty Air Force. The department offers four-year, three-year, and two and a half-year Air Force ROTC programs. The four and three-year program provides on-campus study during the freshman through senior years. The two and a half-year program allows community college transfer students and other students with two and a half academic years remaining in either undergraduate or graduate status to earn an Air Force commission while completing their studies. All programs offer scholarship opportunities to selected students. Students are invited to write or visit the Department of Aerospace Studies to obtain additional information. The Air Force retains sole discretion whether or not any applicant is qualified for pre-commissioning education through the Air Force ROTC program. More information on the Aerospace Studies program can also be found on the UCF AFROTC home page at http://airforce.ucf.edu and the Air Force ROTC home page at http://www.afrotc.com.

Curriculum

Students enrolled in the Air Force ROTC program may major in any academic discipline and earn a minor in Aerospace Studies. A major is not offered by this department. AFROTC courses are listed under the prefix AFR. The curriculum is divided into two phases:

1. General Military Course (GMC)

   The General Military Course is designed to give students their first exposure to the Reserve Officer Training Corps program during their freshman and sophomore years. The courses deal with the mission, organization, and structure of the US Air Force, and the development of air power into a prime element of American national security.

2. Professional Officer Course (POC)

   The Professional Officer Course is designed to develop and hone managerial and officer skills during a student’s junior and senior years. All students who seek a commission through the Air Force ROTC must complete the POC curriculum. The curriculum involves the study of concepts of leadership and management in the Air Force and an analysis of the formulation and implementation of American defense policy.

Leadership Laboratory

Leadership Laboratory is a required lab that must be taken in conjunction with the academic class. Leadership Laboratory is only open to students who are members of the Reserve Officer Training Corps or are eligible to pursue a commission as determined by the Professor of Aerospace Studies.

Requirements for entry into the Professional Officer Course

• Be at least 17 years of age at the time of acceptance
• Be able to complete the Professional Officer Course and complete all degree requirements prior to reaching age 29 if entering Flight Training, or before age 30 (can be waived to age 35) if entering a non-flying Air Force specialty
• Pass the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test
• Pass an Air Force medical examination
• Pass the Air Force Physical Fitness Assessment each semester
• Selection by the Professor of Aerospace Studies
• Successful completion of a summer Field Training course (either four or five weeks)
• Enlistment in the Air Force Reserve certifying agreement to complete the POC and accept an Air Force Commission. This enlistment is terminated upon receipt of a commission

Monetary Allowance

All contracted students enrolled in the Professional Officer Course receive a tax-free monetary allowance of $450 or $500 per month based on their academic classification.

Air Force ROTC Scholarship Program

Scholarships are phased between two and four years and are awarded on a competitive basis. Depending on state residency and credit hours, these scholarships may provide for full tuition and fees, and an allowance for textbooks. For additional information on Air Force ROTC call 407-823-1247 or visit our web site at http://airforce.ucf.edu or e-mail us at AFROTC@mail.ucf.edu. This information is subject to change.

Summer Training

All students must attend a summer Field Training course conducted at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, AL. This course includes junior officer training, officer career orientation, and physical conditioning. Students enrolled in the four-year AFROTC program will attend a four-week summer course, normally upon completion of the General Military Course. A five-week summer course, which includes a modified version of the General Military Course, is required for students entering the two and a half-year AFROTC program. These students must complete their summer training prior to their formal enrollment in the Professional Officer Course curriculum. These students need to contact the department early in the Fall prior to the Summer Field Training.

Officer Commissioning

Students who complete the Professional Officer Course are appointed Second Lieutenants in the United States Air Force. After completing the training program and entering active duty, they will serve a minimum active duty tour which varies in length depending on their particular career area (typically four years). Such obligations are explained in detail during the one-on-one counseling sessions conducted with each candidate by detachment officers.

Army ROTC (Military Science)

The University of Central Florida, in cooperation with the US Army, provides students an opportunity to earn a commission as a Second Lieutenant after graduation and compete for an active duty assignment or accept a guaranteed Army Reserve or National Guard position. The program offers both a four-year and two-year option for students working on their Baccalaureate or Graduate degrees. Program now offers 4, 3, and 2 year scholarship options. The four-year option requires completion of one military science course and a leadership laboratory that must be taken in conjunction with the academic class every semester. The two-year option allows students with at least two academic years remaining to complete their degrees to meet all requirements for commissioning by receiving placement credit for the first two years (Basic Course) and completing the last two years (Advanced Course). Students may be eligible for the Army’s Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) which combines Reserve Forces Duty with Army ROTC officer training courses on campus. Note: The Army retains sole discretion - in accordance with public law and military regulation - regarding whether or not any applicant is qualified for pre-commissioning education through Army ROTC. More information on the AROTC program can be found on the AROTC Department home page: http://army.ucf.edu.

Curriculum

The Military Science curriculum is designed to develop students’ leadership potential and improve students’ planning, organizational, and managerial skills. The on-campus curriculum is divided into two phases: Basic Military Science Course and Advanced Military Science Course.

1. Basic Military Science

   1. The Basic Military Science Course consists of four semesters of classroom instruction of one hour each week and a two hours leadership lab. Students incur no military commitment by participating in the Basic Course, unless they qualify and choose to contract as a scholarship or non-scholarship student. These courses address military organizations, equipment, weapons, map reading, land navigation, management skills, grade structure, communications and leadership. There are non-contractual obligations or commitments for students in the Basic course phase. The Basic Course phase offers students the opportunity to see what Army ROTC is all about (MSL 1001, 1002, 2101, 2102). Students will also participate in a Field Training Exercise (FTX). These general elective courses are normally taken during the freshman and sophomore years and fulfill pre-requisite requirements for entering the Advanced Military Science phase.
   2. Requisites for admission to the Basic Course:
      • Enrollment in a Baccalaureate or Master’s degree program
      • Full-time student status

2. Advanced Military Science

   1. The Advanced Military Science courses (MSL 3101, 3202, 4301, 4302) consists of four semesters of classroom instruction of two hours each week and a two hours leadership lab that are taken during the junior and senior years. These courses specialize in small unit tactics, how to prepare and conduct military training, military justice system, staff procedures, decision making and leadership. Students who want to pursue a commission as a Second Lieutenant must meet pre-requisite requirements to contract and must obtain permission from the department chair prior to participating in the Advanced course. They must also successfully complete a 32-day Leadership Development and Assessment Course at Fort Lewis, WA, normally between their junior and senior years.
   2. Requisites for Admission to the Advanced Course:
      • Successful completion of Basic Course,or placement credit
      • Must be at least 17 years of age at the time of entry, but not more that 31 years of age at the time of commissioning (31-year age regulation may be waived for veterans up to age 34)
      • Successful completion of an Army physical examination
      • Agreement to complete the Advanced Course requirements and serve on either Active, Reserve, or National Guard duty as a commissioned officer
      • Full-time undergraduate student status (minimum of 12 hours); full-time graduate student status (minimum six hours)
      • US Citizen
      • A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required to contract non-scholarship cadets, and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required for scholarship consideration.

3. Monetary Allowance

   All contracted and scholarship students enrolled in the Basic and Advanced Military Science Courses receive a tax-free monthly stipend of $300 during the freshman year, $350 during the sophomore year, $450.00 during the Junior year and $500.00 during the Senior school year.

4. Scholarships

   Four, three and two-year scholarships are available for all students who qualify on a competitive basis. These scholarships provide full tuition or room and board not to exceed $10,000 and $1,200 annually for books and fees. In addition, all contracted scholarship students also receive the monthly stipend during the school year. Contact the Enrollment Officer for additional information at 407-823-5383.

5. Placement Credit

   Placement credit for the Basic Course can be offered to students with prior service, 3 years of Junior ROTC, and completion of the Leaders Training Course (see below). Placement credit for prior service is extended to include Active duty, Reserve Forces and National Guard. Although prior service and Junior ROTC waives the Basic Course, a student that qualifies for placement credit may elect to enroll in the Basic Course.

6. Daytona Beach Campus Students

   These students should contact the Professor of Military Science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida, 904-239-6469. Students will participate in a Field Training Exercise (FTX) and will commission, if qualified, with Embry-Riddle.

Summer Training Courses

1. Basic Course Summer Training (Leader Training Course)

   Under the two year option a student can earn placement credit for the Basic Course by attending a 31-day course at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Students attending the summer course receive approximately $800.00 pay. Additionally, all lodging, meals and transportation are furnished. Uniforms will be provided at no expense to the student.

2. Specialized Summer Training Courses

   Qualified students can be selected to attend specialized military training occurring the summer months. These areas of training include: a) Airborne Training; b) Air Assault Training; c) Northern Warfare Training; d) Cadet Troop Leadership Training; and e) Mountain Training.

3. Leadership Development and Assessment Course (LDAC)

   All Advanced Course students must attend and successfully pass a five week camp conducted at Fort Lewis Washington prior to receiving a commission as an Army Officer. This camp evaluates a student’s leadership performance and potential. LDAC waives the 9 hour summer school requirement for Army ROTC Cadets. Students normally attend LDAC the summer following their junior year and receive approximately $800 pay for the training.